§ Statement of Purpose

The View from 1776 presents a framework to understand present-day issues from the viewpoint of the colonists who fought for American independence in 1776 and wrote the Constitution in 1787. Knowing and preserving those understandings, what might be called the unwritten constitution of our nation, is vital to preserving constitutional government. Without them, the bare words of the Constitution are just a Rorschach ink-blot that politicians, educators, and judges can interpret to mean anything they wish.

"We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions, unbridled by morality and true religion. Our constitution is made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams, to the Officers of the First Brigade, Third Division, Massachusetts Militia, October 11, 1798.

§ Syndicate

The View From 1776

Joyful Contemplation

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Barbara Batchelor Harris, my friend of many years, emailed this link to a beautiful presentation with spectacular scenic views called Interview With God.

In addition to being a good summary of the Christian doctrine of love ? for God and for your neighbor ? it calls to mind the writings of G. K Chesterton, a prolific writer and a devout Christian who died in 1936.

“Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in London, England on the 29th of May, 1874. Though he considered himself a mere “rollicking journalist,” he was actually a prolific and gifted writer in virtually every area of literature. A man of strong opinions and enormously talented at defending them, his exuberant personality nevertheless allowed him to maintain warm friendships with people—such as George Bernard Shaw and H. G. Wells—with whom he vehemently disagreed.

Chesterton had no difficulty standing up for what he believed. He was one of the few journalists to oppose the Boer War. His 1922 Eugenics and Other Evils attacked what was at that time the most progressive of all ideas, the idea that the human race could and should breed a superior version of itself. In the Nazi experience, history demonstrated the wisdom of his once “reactionary” views.”

Emil Pavone, another of my friends, happily introduced me to Chesterton’s work. What has struck me about Chesterton’s “The Everlasting Man” is his enormous joy in God’s creation, in the wonders and beauties of nature and their power to inspire humans to creative and artistic expression shared by no other living creature.

This joy is an important component of loving yourself and loving your neighbor as yourself.